Category: Treatment

No One Wants To Get Addicted

People start using drugs for different reasons. People end up with a Drug Habit for no good reason.

Some choose to try them because they are curious about the way they will make them feel. They have seen other people taking drugs like heroin, cocaine, or ice and they feel left out. People want to feel what their friends are feeling. They want to know what it’s like to be a part of what they think is the “in crowd.” Or, maybe they are at a club or party and someone asks them if they want to get high. They say, “sure – why not!?”

Others start using drugs because they are in pain. It could be physical or emotional pain. Many people become hooked on prescription opioids, for example, because they have sustained an injury or undergone surgery. They are prescribed narcotic pain medication from a doctor and they take it for legitimate reasons. After awhile, though, they may become physically addicted. Others take drugs because they are hurting inside, depressed, or feel lonely and they want to change the way they feel.

Whatever someone’s reasons might be for taking drugs in the first place, no one chooses to get hooked. No one sets out to become to have a drug habit or become and addict. Not one single person in the history of the world said to themselves when they were little, “When I grow up, I want to be an addict!” Not one.

Addiction Has a Way of Creeping Up On You

The thing about drug addiction is that it’s tricky. It kind of just happens when you aren’t looking. First, it’s fun to use drugs. You like the way they make you feel and you think life is one big party. Laughing and hanging out with your friends and you have a good time. You do them every once and awhile and it’s all good.

Soon, you start doing drugs on the weekdays. It starts to take more of your time and money to sustain the supposed good time that you are having. You find that you think about drugs a lot when you’re not doing them. You want to do more and more – so you start doing more and more. Maybe you really don’t notice that anything is wrong, though you still convince yourself that everything is okay.

Before long, you are doing the stuff every single day. If you don’t do it, you feel irritable and discontent. Angry and hostile. You have to do drugs when you wake up and you need them to fall asleep. Sometimes you go on binges that last days at a time. You spend all of your money on it. Now, you are hooked. And you have no idea how it happened.  

If The Party Has Ended & You Have A Drug Habit, You Need Help

When addiction finally takes complete control, there is nothing fun about using drugs. The party is over. Your drug use has spiraled out of control and your life is going downhill – FAST! You are alone and isolated and you no longer feel you can function with or without drugs. You have a drug habit.

If you’re not having a good time anymore and you think you might need help for your drug habit, contact us. We can get you into treatment right away so you can get your life back and start having fun again. Sober fun.

CNS depressants are central nervous system depressants and include barbiturates and benzodiazepines (benzos). This drug class has a calming or tranquilizing effect that is typically given as a sedative or even general anesthetic. These medications can be given in low doses to help with anxiety, but unfortunately can become highly addictive very quickly. The issue with CNS medications, especially for sleep issues or anxiety is that the lack of this medication can mean the issue is still present. Additionally, the body can build up a tolerance to this type medication that requires higher doses over time which can lead to addiction. Having an addiction to a prescribed medication, though not often discussed, is relatively common. This does not mean the individual is weak or that they were just meant to be an addict. But a real need led to a real addiction that must be dealt with as such.

Common CNS Medications

Some of the most common CNS medications include Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium. These are commonly prescribed by a physician or psychiatrist for anxiety related issues. While the medications do have and can be used for their intended purpose the abuse of such medications is pretty common. The signs of abuse are drowsiness, confusion, memory problems, vision changes, and even personality or behavior changes. Though a mild effect as described does not necessarily mean abuse, long term effects do signify abuse. Just to clarify, some of these medications are meant to cause drowsiness or limit anxiety so lethargy or slight behavior changes may be noticeable. But this should not be for extended periods of time. Each of the three common types of CNS medications will be described below. As well as withdrawal effects associated with this medication class.

Though highly regulated and not as likely to be prescribed, Xanax was once a popular medication used for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. The use of Xanax is being limited in places such as the U.S. as the addictive properties are well documented. Xanax is given in a pill form and when taken correctly can be a short term solution for anxiety and related behaviors. Unfortunately Xanax is often taken in excess or crushed and snorted when abused.

Klonopin and Valium

Klonopin and Valium are also benzos that are used to treat panic and anxiety disorders. Additionally, these medications can be used for the treatment of seizure disorders. When used incorrectly these medications can be used to get ‘high’ much like excessive alcohol use. If used incorrectly these medications can cause constipation, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Prescription CNS Withdrawal

When withdrawing from CNS depressants the person have extreme anxiety and panic, sweat excessively, have muscle pain, nausea, and trouble sleeping. These effects will make the person likely to seek more medication. Withdraw can occur even when the medication is used appropriately, just not in such extreme ways. If you are using these types of medications inappropriately then seek help to end the addiction. Panic and anxiety can be treated in many different ways and if addiction is an issue than other methods may be more appropriate. Never be afraid to ask for help.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

The topic of support groups carries a lot of baggage. For starters, a recovery support group immediately conjures the image of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. This is something that many people contemplating recovery are keen to avoid. Another reason this topic can be difficult is that many people consider their recovery a distinctly private matter, one they do not wish to discuss with anyone much less total strangers. However, there are tremendous benefits of support groups in recovery and there are many of these groups that have nothing to do with 12 step programs.

Recovery Support

Spending regular time with people who are dealing with the same or similar struggles as one makes their way through recovery is important. The isolation that comes with addiction can continue into the recovery process and this is potentially dangerous. Part of what fuels addiction is the feeling of hopelessness that comes from extreme isolation. If perpetuated into recovery, people are in danger of returning to the same feelings of hopelessness. They eventually return to the one thing they know makes them feel better in the short term. Having a group of people to check in with from time to time can prevent this. Others who are struggling with similar issues can lend reassurance at the very least. And they can offer perspectives that are not obvious to a single individual.

Support Groups

Support groups are also a good source of appraisal. They offer insight on how individuals are doing in recovery. We all can be our own worst critics in many instances. Where we see ourselves as coming up short in recovery, an outside appraisal can show us we are in better shape than we realize. This type of outside validation and encouragement can be priceless in addiction recovery.

More minds are better than one when it comes to finding information. Having more people looking for resources to help with the recovery process allows us access to more information than we would find on our own. Becoming aware of new methods for coping skills and relaxation techniques. Even financial help can all come in the form of a recovery support group.

Speaking of financial resources, a support group can often be the helping hand one needs during a time of material need. That we have a group of people dedicated to offering help with a common struggle can mean people are available to help if one needs real and tangible help with a crisis.

Support groups also keep us honest. As much as we are our own worst critics, we are also often capable of lying to ourselves at times. One of the real dangers in recovery is convincing ourselves that we are doing better than we really are. A good support group will offer not just criticism but also constructive opinions. Opinions on where we may be going astray in the recovery process.

DARA Can Help

Far from the old smoky rooms of AA meeting, support groups now consist of a variety of meetings of all kinds of people. It is a matter of consulting with treatment professionals and agencies to find the group that speaks to you. Support groups can make all the difference in successful and healthy recovery.   
CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

The structure and schedule which surrounds the rehabilitation program at DARA is of great importance for an addict in the initial stages of recovery. When a life has gone out of control we need to look outside ourselves and engage help with how to reintegrate it.

If you look at the way in which the DARA schedule is set out, most days start with some form of exercise or workout. One of the things I’ve learnt whilst working as an Addiction Therapist within the facility, is the benefit of the warm, sunny days when dealing with the initial stage of recovery.

Physical Activity

The physical and mental health benefits of getting the body up and moving are well documented. Doing it first thing, is a great way to start the day and ground yourself within.

As you look out from our pool area, emerging through the jungle canopy, is the sparkling blue gulf of thailand.

When practicing at the facility, I myself make sure that three mornings a week, I swim early,  before the start of a working day. It helps ground me in my body, wakes me up and enlivens me mentally, before beginning to engage with Clients in therapy. Presenting our psycho-education program and delivering group sessions. I take the time to smell the fragrant white and yellow frangipani flowers, which remind me that I am residing on a tropical island. I always allow myself a few moments, to savour the scene I encounter in the quiet. It makes the day seem a little easier.

‘What impact does physical activity have on wellbeing?

Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance wellbeing in our population. It is known that even a short burst of 10 minutes brisk walking increases mental alertness, energy and positive mood states.’ Mentalhealth.org.uk

DARA Personalised Help

At DARA we also include a personalised and tailored training plan. You will work alongside a Personal Trainer to motivate and keep you on track at the start. Momentum needs to be built and that momentum sometimes needs to come from someone else.

DARA provides the opportunity for you to rebuild what you’ve lost through active addiction and assists you in clearing your mind. With a clear mind you can begin to think about your needs on leaving the facility.

With your Therapist you can deliberate and discuss how you put some form of positive structure into your days. This will help you build on your recovery and maintain sobriety. To prevent lapses and enable you to not fall into a full relapse.

If you take into account that you’ll definitely be walking around the facility for over 10 minutes a day. Then a simple thing like this, which happens naturally, becomes a way to develop good mental health and repair the damage to the body. Which in turn leads you into wellbeing.

‘The interaction between being in nature and being physically active seems to have synergistic positive effects.’ Mentalhealth.org.uk 

DARA Rehab Thailand

Our facility has been converted from a luxury resort. Therefore, we have the added benefit of bringing nature and clients together holistically. Our trees bristle with the sound of cicadas and nimble macaque monkeys. Some are mothers with suckling babies. Watch as they search for food in jungle flora and fauna nestled among our winding pathways.

DARA’s location naturally brings about these synergised positive effects. If you’ve spent years abusing drugs and alcohol, then the body has been weakened. The environment you’ll find yourself living within, during your rehabilitation stay at DARA will naturally begin to rebuild stamina.

It may feel uncomfortable at first but you will start to see and feel the change in the process. A as you participate within our structured program you will find that this change in itself will help inspire you. Inspire you to build the bridge you need to build between rehab and home. It is incredibly important to enable you to maintain momentum and understand the challenges of returning home. To appreciate the quality of care given and acknowledge within yourself the achievement of sobriety. You alone can do it but you don’t have to do it alone!

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.